Declaring for Draft No Longer Irreversible

1994, Scripps Howard News Service, St Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)

For years, one question has plagued college basketball: Is he
coming out?

Now, there is a flip side to the question: Is he going back?

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has a new
mechanism that allows an underclass player to declare for the
National Basketball Association draft, change his mind within 30
days of the draft and regain college eligibility - if he hasn't
signed with an agent or accepted payment or expenses for pro
tryouts.

The rule was conceived after former Notre Dame football player
Braxton Banks entered the National Football League draft, then
sued the NCAA to regain his eligibility. The NCAA won, but members
realized it might have been a hollow victory.

It appears the new rule will have little effect this season. Of
the players who have announced their intention to turn pro, only
Louisville forward Cliff Rozier said he may return to college.
Players such as California point guard Jason Kidd and Michigan
guard Jalen Rose said their decisions are final.

Although there was concern the new rule would encourage players
to leave school prematurely, most who have declared were successful
enough in college to be drafted by the NBA.

The rule applies only to basketball. Coaches expressed strong
support for the concept.

Football coaches have been overwhelmingly opposed to the
concept. The obstacle is the calendar: spring practice is conducted
most places before the NFL holds its draft. …

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